X-ray observation of the Roche-lobe filling white dwarf plus hot subdwarf system ZTF J213056.71+442046.5

TL;DR

This study presents X-ray observations of the unique white dwarf and hot subdwarf binary ZTF J213056.71+442046.5, revealing UV variability but no detectable X-ray emission, challenging existing accretion models.

Contribution

First X-ray observation of the Roche-lobe filling white dwarf plus hot subdwarf system ZTF J213056.71+442046.5, providing new insights into its accretion behavior and emission properties.

Findings

Detected UV variability with optical monitor

No X-ray emission detected despite accretion evidence

Estimated accretion rate of ~10^{-9} M_sun/yr

Abstract

ZTF J213056.71+442046.5 is the prototype of a small class of recently discovered compact binaries composed of a white dwarf and a hot subdwarf that fills its Roche-lobe. Its orbital period of only 39 min is the shortest known for the objects in this class. Evidence for a high orbital inclination (i=86 deg) and for the presence of an accretion disk has been inferred from a detailed modeling of its optical photometric and spectroscopic data. We report the results of an XMM-Newton observation carried out on 2021 January 7. ZTF J213056.71+442046.5 was clearly detected by the Optical Monitor, which showed a periodic variability in the UV band (200-400 nm), with a light curve similar to that seen at longer wavelengths. Despite accretion on the white dwarf at an estimated rate of the order of 10^{-9} M_sun/yr, no X-rays were detected with the EPIC instrument, with a limit of ~10^{30} erg/s on the 0.2-12 keV luminosity. We discuss possible explanations for the lack of a strong X-ray emission from this system.